Introduction
Over 80% of Americans believe that religion is significant a person’s perspective of their own health and well-being is greatly influenced by their spirituality. Belief-related concerns influence medical interactions. Therefore, patients may want to talk to their doctor about spirituality. Many medical professionals believe that there are obstacles to bringing up the topic of spirituality, such as an insufficient amount of time and experience, trouble finding patients who are interested in talking about spirituality, and the idea that treating spiritual issues is not the role of a doctor (Stewart & O’Reilly, 2017). Therefore, comprehending and attending to spiritual needs is essential for healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive treatment. This essay examines the significance of spirituality in health evaluations, emphasizing the methodologies used, important questions involved, and necessary activities that should be taken afterward.
Is your topic primarily assessed through health history or physical assessment, or both?
Health history is the main method of assessing spirituality. Information about faith, spiritual convictions, customs, and existential issues are included in a patient’s health history, which is the primary method used to evaluate spirituality. Certain physicians might not identify as spiritual, they might not want to talk about spirituality, or they might not be comfortable or competent talking about spiritual issues. Conducting a spiritual examination and providing spiritual assistance is comparable to gathering a social history and demonstrating empathy following a negative diagnosis, as opposed to being a coercive obligation (Saguil & Phelps, 2012). They offer an additional means of comprehending and aiding sufferers in their encounters with health and sickness.
Medical professionals can perform a spiritual history with the aid of several tools. Using an acronym, the FICA (Faith, Importance, Community, Address) Spiritual History Tool leads medical practitioners through inquiries to elicit patient spirituality and its possible impact on patient treatment. It begins with questions concerning faith and convictions. Then it goes on to inquire about their significance to the patient, their religious community, and their preferences regarding how the doctor should handle spirituality in their care. An additional tool comprises the HOPE questions. By inquiring about patients’ foundations for hope and meaning, their affiliation with religious organizations, their spirituality and customs, and the potential impact of their spirituality on healthcare and decisions regarding their death, these questions help doctors move from broad notions to specific applications (Saguil & Phelps, 2012). These resources support the systematic assessment of the spiritual requirements of patients and the identification of areas in which they require assistance.
Why should the topic you are studying be included in a health assessment?
Because spirituality has such a significant impact on people’s general well-being and medical outcomes, it must be included in health assessments. The concept of spirituality consists of a wide range of ideas, attitudes, and behaviours that influence how people view and handle disease, pain, and existential issues. Strong correlations involving spirituality and a range of wellness indicators, such as physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of life, have been shown repeatedly in research. Research has demonstrated, for example, that those with firm religious convictions are more likely to be resilient when confronted with adversity, have fewer symptoms of anxiety and despair, and engage in better self-care practices (Stewart & O’Reilly, 2017). Healthcare professionals can facilitate more helpful and productive therapy relationships with their patients by customizing therapies that align with their core principles and beliefs by learning about their spirituality viewpoints.
In addition, faith frequently provides consolation, purpose, and hope for people dealing with health issues. Several individuals experience deep existential problems concerning the meaning of life, death, and suffering as a result of their sickness or disability. In addition to recognizing patients’ holistic requirements, considering such existential issues within the framework of a health assessment gives patients the confidence to discover the meaning and significance of life in their healthcare experience. Healthcare professionals allow patients to express their aspirations, fears and wishes by fostering an environment that is receptive to discussing spirituality. This enables a sense of existential and psychological assistance. Therefore, incorporating spirituality into health evaluations is consistent with patient-centred care concepts, which emphasize learning about each patient’s viewpoints and beliefs to maximize the patient’s health and wellness.
What key questions should be asked in assessing this topic with adult clients? If possible, find an assessment tool or guide to which you can refer teammates.
Phelan, (2018) argued that it is critical to address the subject of spirituality and health in adult patients with respect and a willingness to listen to a range of perspectives and experiences. Exploring several facets of spirituality, which includes convictions, routines, and systems for help and significance, ought to be the goal of critical questions. Healthcare professionals might, for instance, ask the patient about the importance of spirituality in their life, including the possibility that they use meditation or prayers, are members of a religious society, or find solace in spiritual beliefs throughout trying times. Questions can also delve into the client’s perceptions of the connection between their spirituality and wellness, such as if they think prayer can cure or how their faith practices affect the decisions they make when seeking health services.
The FICA Spiritual History Tool is a frequently utilized evaluation instrument for investigating spirituality in healthcare environments. The FICA tool represents the significant pillars of spirituality. With this tool, doctors can politely and non-intrusively ask patients about their spiritual beliefs and ways of life within an organized framework. For instance, the “Importance” domain examines the role of spirituality in a person’s everyday life and well-being, whereas the “Faith” domain allows medical professionals to question patients concerning their religious convictions and views. Medical professionals can methodically compile data regarding patients’ spiritual requirements and inclinations using these evaluation instruments, enabling more individualized and comprehensive treatment.
Generally, what type of follow-up action, documentation, or reporting is required for information discovered in assessing your topic?
While evaluating spirituality and health, physicians must ensure that the data collected is appropriately documented in the patient’s medical files while abiding by privacy and security laws. A synopsis of the individual’s religious routines, beliefs, and choices must be included in this documentation, along with any conversations or spirituality-related interventions that took place throughout the medical visit. Furthermore, to promote organized and comprehensive care, medical professionals need to share pertinent information with other professionals on the team. Follow-up measures include integrating spiritual care into the individual’s therapy program and making recommendations to chaplains, spiritual psychologists, or support networks based on the individual’s tastes and requirements. According to Zamanzadeh et al, (2015) medical staff must ensure that the spiritual requirements of patients are met as a component of the holistic provision of medical, while respecting their independence and choices about spiritual support.
Conclusion
Incorporating spirituality into health evaluations is crucial to delivering patient-centered treatment. Medical professionals may promote the outcomes of therapy, foster comprehensive healing, and strengthen their therapeutic connection by identifying and attending to their client’s spiritual needs. An all-encompassing strategy for patient treatment is enhanced by the usual clinical practice of integrating spirituality examinations.
References
Phelan, A. (2018). The role of the nurse in detecting elder abuse and neglect: Current perspectives, Directory of Open Access Journals, 8, 15-22 (WO 5)
Saguil, A., & Phelps, K. (2012). The spiritual assessment. American family physician, 86(6), 546-550.
Stewart, K. & O’Reilly, P. (2017). Exploring the attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of nurses and midwives of the healthcare needs of the LGBTQ population: An integrative review. Nurse Education Today, 53, 67-77 (WO 3)
Zamanzadeh, V., Jasemi, M., Valizadeh, L., Koegh, B. & Taleghani, F. (2015). Effective Factors in Providing Holistic Care: A Qualitative Study. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 21(2), 214-224. http://doi-org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.4103/0973-1075.156506 (WO 1,4)
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